Around the World
Iran Threatens "Crushing Response" To U.S. Attacks
Iran threatens a 'crushing response' to any American military attacks in the Persian Gulf after United States President Donald Trump threatened to 'shoot down and destroy' Iranian vessels. The leader of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that the security of the Gulf is among Iran's strategic priorities.
Russia, Turkey, and Iran To Meet On Syria
The foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey, and Iran will hold a video conference on April 22 to discuss Syria and a de-escalation deal in the last rebel-held enclave in Idlib.
EU Leaders Weigh Massive Virus Economic Recovery Measures
European Union leaders are set to weigh Thursday the damage the coronavirus has inflicted on health care systems and the lives of around half a billion citizens across the bloc as they struggle to devise a more robust plan to resuscitate their ravaged economies.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hezbollah and Israel Try To Avoid War, For Now
Israel and the Islamic militant Hezbollah group have reportedly agreed on informal rules of engagement as they prepare for possible war while trying to avoid setting it off. The New York Times newspaper reports that Israel has mostly refrained from killing members of Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and committed to destroying the Jewish state.
Constitutional 'Basic Laws' in Israel take a hit from new unity agreement
Constitutional scholars in Israel are crying foul about the new unity agreement signed by alternating Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, saying it destroys the separation of powers necessary to democratic governance.
US says Israeli annexation of parts of West Bank is for Israel to decide
Concerning Israel’s annexation of parts of the West Bank, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said: 'The Israelis will ultimately make those decisions. That’s an Israeli decision,' the Times of Israel reports. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Pompeo added that the US would share its views on the issue in a private setting.

Inside the United States
U.S. Unemployment Hits 26 Million, Worst Since Great Depression
U.S. unemployment is nearing levels of the Great Depression of the 1930s, with one in 6 Americans of working age out of a job as the coronavirus pandemic essentially shut down the economy. About 4.4 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance last week alone, reported the U.S. Labor Department on Thursday.
California federal judge says churches cannot hold in-person services during pandemic
A California federal judge determined Wednesday that churches in the state are prohibited from holding in-person services during the coronavirus pandemic, the Los Angeles Times reports. The case was brought by three Southern California churches who argued that the state’s lockdown rules were a violation of the First Amendment and the right to freedom of religion and assembly.
U.S. new home sales tumble in March
Sales of new U.S. single-family homes dropped by the most in more than 6-1/2 years in March and further declines are likely as the novel coronavirus outbreak batters the economy and throws millions of Americans out of work.

Christian News
Christians killed by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria
Four Christians were killed last week in an attack by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Kaduna state, Nigeria, Morningstar News reports. This attack is the latest in a string of murders committed by herdsmen targeting Christians: Nigeria ranks second after Pakistan on the Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List for countries where Christians are killed for their faith.